Diverter switch for on-load changers

ABSTRACT

Rotation of a shaft actuates linkage mechanisms to swing movable contacts out of engagement with a first set of fixed contacts through a circular arc into engagement with a second set of fixed contacts.

United States Patent 11 1 Popa Aug. 26, 1975 [54] DIVERTER SWITCH FOR ON-LOAD 3,246,088 4/1966 Maunder 200 11 TC CHANGERS 3,632,908 1/1972 ,Blicbtreu et al. 200 11 'rc 3,764,891 10/1973 Lingenfelter et al. 200/1 1 TC x Inventor: Laurentiv p 267 Townsend St, 3,806,674 4 1974 Schaller 200 11 TC x Apt. No. 2, Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada Primarv Examiner.lames R. Scott [22] Filed: Aug. 31, 1973 Appl. No.: 393,392

US. Cl. 200/11 TC; ZOO/153 P Int. Cl. HOll-l l9/38;H()1H 3/32 Field of Search... ZOO/l1 TC, 17 R, 18, 153 R,

200/153 G, l53 H, 153 P, 153 PA [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,l76,()89 3/1965 Blicbtrcu et a] .1 200/11 TC X [57] ABSTRACT Rotation of a shaft actuates linkage mechanisms to swing movable contacts out of engagement with a first set of fixed contacts through a circular arc into engagement with a second set of fixed contacts.

4 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTED M25 1975 3. 9 O2 O 3 O SHEET 1 BF 3 FIG! PATEmEnAuze 1975 ET UF3 FIGZ DIVERTER SWITCH FOR ON-LOAD CHANGERS SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION My invention is directed toward a diverter switch for on-load tap changers wherein rotation of a shaft actuates linkage mechanisms to swing movable contacts out of engagement with a first set of fixed contacts through circular arc into engagement with a second set of fixed contacts.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings: FIG. 1 is a vertical cross sectional view generally exemplary of my invention;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIGS. l-3 are intended as generally descriptive of the type of switch. FIG. 4, with some reference as well to FIG. 5, illustrates the details of the invention which is concerned with drive, linkage and cam mechanisms associated with the vertical shaft, sleeve and contacts of the switch.

First and second fixed contacts 17 and 18 are disposed in spaced position as are third and fourth fixed contacts 19 and 20. Fifth and sixth mobile electrically interconnected contacts 13 and 14 are disposed between contacts l7 and 18 and either engage contact 17 while spaced from contact 18 or vice versa. Seventh and eighth mobile electrically interconnected contacts 15 and 16 are disposed between contacts 19 and 20 and either engage contact 19 while spaced from contact 20 or vice versa.

The invention is directed toward a switch for an onload tap changer functioning on the flag cycle principle and employing the various contacts described above. During changeover, a vertical shaft 10 is rotated to swing the movable contacts from a position of engagement with corresponding fixed contacts 17 and 19 to a position of engagement with corresponding fixed contacts 18 and 20 or vice versa.

A pinion gear 2 at the end of shaft 1 is coupled to gear 3 which rotates crank 4. This crank extends through an opening in horizontal member to reciprocate it back and forth. A vertical hollow sleeve 22, independently rotatable, has shaft extending therethrough. The sleeve has a first arm 24 secured to contacts 13 and 14, a second arm 24 secured to contacts and 16 and a third arm 12 having a longitudinally extending slot in its free end.

A linkage and cam structure is connected between the member 5 and the arm 12 to rotate the sleeve 22 and thus position the contacts as required by the rotation of the shaft. The structure employs linkage 6 pivotable about one end which is formed into a vertical pin 6a extending through a second spaced opening in member 5. The opposite end of linkage 6 as shown at 6b is pivotally disposed about a fixed point and has cam 8 secured thereto. The cam bears against linkage 10 at a point intermediate its ends. One end of linkage 10 is pivotally disposed at 10a about another fixed point.

The other end of linkage 10 is pivotally secured to one end of linkage 9. The opposite end of linkage 9 is pivotally secured to one end of linkage 11. The other end of linkage 11 is pivotally secured at 11a about yet another fixed point. A vertical pin 9a extending upward from linkage 9 at a point intermediate its ends extends through the slot of arm 12. A spring 7 is connected to and extends between the two pins 9a and 6a.

As the shaft rotates, member 5 is reciprocated, causing cam 8 to move linkage 10 to cooperate with the other linkages and move pin 9a. This movement of pin 9a rotates the sleeve to position the contacts.

All of the mobile contacts are at the same potential as are the actuating parts. This potential is usually that of the neutral point of a Y connected transformer. No insulation is needed. These'moving contacts and actuating parts are insulated with respect to the body of the transformer by means of an insulating shaft. As is conventional, the upper part of shaft 1, as shown in FIG. 1 is formed of insulating material.

While I have described my invention with particular reference to the drawings, such is not to be considered as limiting its actual scope.

Having thus described this invention, what is claimed and asserted as new is:

1. A switch comprising:

first and second fixed contacts disposed in spaced apart position along a first circular arc;

third and fourth fixed contacts disposed in spaced apart position along a second like circular arc; fifth and sixth mobile electrically interconnected contacts disposed between the first and second contacts, the fifth and sixth contacts having a first position at which the fifth contact engages the first contact with the sixth contact spaced from the second contact and having a second position at which the sixth contact engages the second contact with the fifth contact spaced from the first contact; seventh and eighth mobile electrically interconnected contacts disposed between the third and fourth contacts, the seventh and eighth contacts having a first position at which the seventh contact engages the third contact with the eighth contact spaced from the fourth contact and having a second position at which the eighth contact engages the fourth contact with the seventh contact spaced from the third contact;

vertical hollow sleeve having three vertically spaced horizontal arms, the first arm being connected to the fifth and sixth contacts, the second arm being connected to the seventh and eighth contacts, the sleeve being vertically rotatable about its axis between a first position at which the mobile contacts are in the first position and a second position at which the mobile contacts are in the second position, the third arm having a longitudinally extending slot adjacent a free end; a linkage and cam structure having a first vertical pin extending through the slot in the third arm and having a second and spaced vertical pin, said structure having a first pin position at which the sleeve is rotated to its first sleeve position and a second pin position at which the sleeve is rotated to its second sleeve position; vertical shaft extending through the sleeve and being independently rotatable between a first shaft position and a second shaft position; and

a crank mechanism responsive to the shaft rotation and having a horizontally elongated reciprocatable member, said member having a first opening through which the second pin extends, said mechanism, when the shaft is in the first shaft position,

causing the structure to be placed in the first pin position, said mechanism, when the shaft is in the second shaft position, causing the structure to be placed in the second pin position.

2. The switch of claim 1 wherein the linkage structure includes a first horizontal linkage pivotally secured at one end to a first fixed point, a second horizontal linkage having said first pin secured thereto in a position intermediate the ends of the second linkage, one end of the second linkage being pivotally secured to the other end of the first linkage, a third horizontal linkage pivotally secured at one end to a second fixed point spaced from the first fixed point and pivotally secured at its other end to the other end of the second linkage,

a fourth linkage having the second pin at one end and being pivotally secured at the other end to a third fixed point spaced from the first and second points, and a cam secured to the other end of said fourth linkage and pivotable therewith, said cam bearing against the third linkage at a point intermediate the ends of the third linkage.

3. The switch of claim 2 wherein the structure includes an elongated spring secured to and extending between the first and second pins.

4. The switch of claim 3 wherein the mechanism includes a pinion gear at an end of the shaft, a second and cooperating gear engaged therewith and a vertical crank shaft extending through a second opening in the member spaced from the first opening, said crank shaft being secured to the second gear and rotated therewith to impart the reciprocating motion to said member. 

1. A switch comprising: first and second fixed contacts disposed in spaced apart position along a first circular arc; third and fourth fixed contacts disposed in spaced apart position along a second like circular arc; fifth and sixth mobile electrically interconnected contacts disposed between the first and second contacts, the fifth and sixth contacts having a first position at which the fifth contact engages the first contact with the sixth contact spaced from the second contact and having a second position at which the sixth contact engages the second contact with the fifth contact spaced from the first contact; seventh and eighth mobile electrically interconnected contacts disposed between the third and fourth contacts, the seventh and eighth contacts having a first position at which the seventh contact engages the third contact with the eighth contact spaced from the fourth contact and having a second position at which the eighth contact engages the fourth contact with the seventh contact spaced from the third contact; a vertical hollow sleeve having three vertically spaced horizontal arms, the first arm being connected to the fifth and sixth contacts, the second arm being connected to the seventh and eighth contacts, the sleeve being vertically rotatable about its axis between a first position at which the mobile contacts are in the first position and a second position at which the mobile contacts are in the second position, the third arm having a longitudinally extending slot adjacent a free end; a linkage and cam structure having a first vertical pin extending through the slot in the third arm and having a second and spaced vertical pin, said structure having a first pin position at which the sleeve is rotated to its first sleeve position and a second pin position at which the sleeve is rotated to its second sleeve position; a vertical shaft extending through the sleeve and being independently rotatable between a first shaft position and a second shaft position; and a crank mechanism responsive to the shaft rotation and having a horizontally elongated reciprocatable member, said member having a first opening through which the second pin extends, said mechanism, when the shaft is in the first shaft position, causing the structure to be placed in the first pin position, said mechanism, when the shaft is in the second shaft position, causing the structure to be placed in the second pin position.
 2. The switch of claim 1 wherein the linkage structure includes a first horizontal linkage pivotally secured at one end to a first fixed point, a second horizontal linkage having said first pin secured thereto in a position intermediate the ends of the second linkage, one end of the second linkage being pivotally secured to the other end of the first linkage, a third horizontal linkage pivotally secured at one end to a second fixed point spaced from the first fixed point and pivotally secured at its other end to the other end of the second linkage, a fourth linkage having the second pin at one end and being pivotally secured at the other end to a third fixed point spaced from the first and second points, and a cam secured to the other end of said fourth linkage and pivotable therewith, said cam bearing against the third linkage at a point intermediate the ends of the third linkage.
 3. The switch of claim 2 wherein the structure includes an elongated spring secured to and extending between the first and second pins.
 4. The switch of claim 3 wherein the mechanism includes a pinion gear at an end of the shaft, a second and cooperating gear engaged therewith and a vertical crank shaft extending through a second opening in the member spaced from the first opening, said crank shaft being secured to the second gear and rotated therewith to impart the reciprocating motion to said member. 